Question
My daughter is four years old. For a year now, she has had a habit of crossing her legs, doing so for half an hour at a time, with her face red and sweating. When I asked her why she does this, she said it feels comfortable. I have tried to persuade her to stop and even hit her, but it hasn’t worked. I want to know if this situation will have any impact on her future? Is it a sign of precocious puberty?
Answer
Leg crossing syndrome is considered a habit in child psychology and is also one form of child masturbation (an expression of sexual desire). This behavior is generally not a sign of precocious puberty but rather stems from sensory experiences in the perineal area, such as eczema, itching, or pinworms, which develop into a pleasurable sensation. Parents should not show anxiety or anger towards this behavior and should not punish the child.